Connector

ABSTRACT

A connector particularly a connector for a plastics drainage cell or plastics permeable paver which is designed to resist lateral separation. The connector comprises a first and second part, each having splayed fingers and keyways where by the parts are slide vertically together with the fingers of one part sliding into the keyways of the other part such that the connector resists lateral separation.

The present invention relates to a connection means for interconnecting to objects together and in particularly to connecting plastics objects such as grass paver.

Prior art grass pavers are known and generally consist of a honeycomb cell structure wherein grass is grown. Such pavers are used in areas of high vehicular or pedestrian traffic to provide a reinforced grassed surface, which protects the grass from the traffic.

A typical grass paver is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,942. This paver suffers from disadvantages, such as there are no interconnections between pavers to resist lateral separation of the pavers

Prior art connections for grass pavers are known as shown in WO 95/31606, which comprise connection means between pavers. These comprise a female connection in the form of a cut out in the base and a small distance up the wall of the paver and a male connector in the shape of a small t-shape projection, which slides upwardly through the cut out in the base and engages on the wall behind the wall cut out.

The disadvantage of this type of connection is that it is relative easy to disengage the connection between the male and female connectors by a small downwards movement and small lateral separating force.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate this disadvantage by providing a connection means comprising a first part located on a first body and a second part located on a second body,

wherein said first part comprises:

a first outer finger and a second outer finger located opposite and extending laterally outwardly from said first body and convergently to each other

a first inner finger extending laterally outwardly from said first body and spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said first outer finger, defining a first keyway therebetween;

a second inner finger extending laterally outwards from said first body and spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said second outer finger, defining a second keyway therebetween; and

a necked cavity formed between the first and second inner finger,

and whereas the second part comprises:

a first outer keyway, bounded inwardly by a first finger, and complimentary in shape to said first outer finger of the first part;

a second outer keyway, bounded inwardly by a second finger, and complimentary in shape to said second outer finger of the first part; and

a necked protrusion extending outwardly intermediate the first and second fingers and forming therewith a first inner keyway between the first finger and a second inner keyway between the second finger;

wherein, in use, the first part and the second part of the connection means slide vertically into interconnection with each other, so that the first and second outer fingers of the first part slide vertically into the first and second keyway of the second part respectively, while the first and second finger of the second part slides vertically into the first and second keyways, respectively, of the first part, and the necked protrusion of the second part slides vertically into the necked cavity, whereby the connection resists lateral separation.

Preferably the depth of the fingers extends the whole depth of the parts.

In another form the invention comprises plastics permeable pavers or a draining structures which are generally flat in nature and are for use mainly in a horizontal or substantially horizontal disposition, and comprises top and bottom plate members having an alternating pattern of support surfaces and apertures, wherein the apertures in the top plate member are offset relative to the apertures in the bottom plate member with spacer members extending between overlaying corners of the support surface of the top and bottom plates so that the structure is cellular in nature with the cells hydraulically interconnected with each other, and comprising a connection means comprising a first part located on a first paver or drainage structure and a second part located on a second paver or drainage structure,

wherein said first part comprises:

a first outer finger and a second outer finger located opposite and extending laterally outwardly from said first paver or drainage structure and divergently from each other

a first inner finger extending laterally outwardly from said first paver or drainage structure and spaced apart from and parallel to said first outer finger, and defining a first keyway therebetween;

a second inner finger extending laterally outwards from said first paver or drainage structure and spaced apart from and parallel to said second outer finger, defining a second keyway therebetween; and

a necked cavity formed between the first and second inner finger,

and whereas the second part comprises:

a first outer keyway, located adjacent an edge of the second paver or drainage structure and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending first finger, said first outer key being complimentary in shape to said first outer finger of the first part;

a second outer keyway, located adjacent the edge of the second paver or drainage structure and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending second finger, and being complimentary in shape to said second outer finger of the first part; and

a necked protrusion extending laterally outwardly from the second paver or drainage structure intermediate the first and second fingers and forming therewith a first inner keyway between the first finger and a second inner keyway between the second finger;

wherein, in use, the first part and the second part of the connection means slide vertically into interconnection with each other, so that the first and second outer fingers of the first part slide vertically into the first and second keyway of the second part respectively, while the first and second finger of the second part slides vertically into the first and second keyways, respectively, of the first part, and the necked protrusion of the second part slides vertically into the necked cavity, whereby the connection resists lateral separation between the first and second paver or drainage structure.

In another embodiment the necked cavity comprises two convergent keyways and the necked protrusion is two divergent fingers.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a grass anti-compaction or water permeable paver having connection means according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the grass ant-compaction or water permeable paver shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a close up plan view of one parts of the connection means shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a close up plan view of the other part of the connection means shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, and

FIG. 5 illustrates the two parts of the connection means, illustrated in FIGS. 3 & 4, after they are vertical slide into engagement.

An example of a grass anti-compaction or water permeable paver (1) is shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. The paver (1) comprises an upper rigid frame work (2) of alternating openings (3) and support surfaces (4) having apertures (5) therein with a bottom rigid frame work (6) having a similar pattern of openings (3) and support surfaces (4) having apertures (5), except that the apertures (5) of the upper rigid framework (2) overlay the support surfaces (4) of the bottom rigid framework (6) and the support surfaces (4) of the upper rigid framework (2) overlay the openings (3) of the bottom rigid framework (6). The two frameworks (2 & 6) being joined together with columnar spacer members (7), joining the overlaying corners (8) of the support surfaces (4) of the upper and lower rigid framework (2 & 6) to create a rigid structurally strong paver, which allows water to readily flow in all directions along and into and out of the module.

Located on each of the side wall (9) and the end wall (11) are two first connectors (10), while located on each of the side wall (12) and the end wall (14) are two second connectors (13).

The first connectors (10) as shown in close up in FIG. 3, comprise a first outer finger (15) extending, outwardly, from the columnar spacer member (7) with a second outer finger (16), extending from the adjacent spacer member (7); the distal ends of the fingers (15 & 16) extending convergently towards each other. Thus the outer fingers (15 & 16) are buttressed by the structurally strong columnar spacer members (7).

Located spaced apart and parallel to the outer finger (15) is a first inner finger (17) defining a keyway (18), and located spaced apart and parallel to the outer finger (16) is a second inner finger (19) defining a keyway (20). Located intermediate the first and second inner fingers (17 & 19) is a small projection (21), which defines two converging keyways (22 & 23). Thus we have two convergent series of two parallel fingers and parallel keyways.

As shown, in FIG. 1, all of the fingers (15, 16, 17 & 19) preferably extend the full thickness of the paver. However there could be circumstances when this is not necessary.

AS shown in close up in FIG. 4, the second connectors (13) comprise a first outer keyway (24), open to the edge of the paver and formed with the columnar spacer member (7) being at least part of its outer all and with the outwardly extending first outer finger (25) forming at least part of its inner wall, and being complimentary in shape to said first outer finger (15) of the first connector (10), and a second outer keyway (26), open to the edge of the paver and formed with the columnar spacer member (7) forming at least part of its outer wall and the outwardly extending second outer finger (27) forming at least part of its inner wall, and being complimentary in shape to said second outer finger (16) of the first connector (10).

Thus the outer walls of the two outer keyways (24 & 26) are buttressed by the structurally strong columnar spacer members (7), which are braced by the upper & bottom rigid frame works (2 & 6).

Located intermediate first outer finger (25) and the second outer finger (27) are two adjoined inner fingers (28 & 29). The first inner finger (28) being substantially parallel to the first outer finger (25) and forming a first inner keyway (30) therebetween. The second inner finger (29) being substantially parallel to the second outer finger (27) and forming a second inner keyway (31) therebetween.

In another embodiment, not shown, the two adjoined inner fingers (28 & 29), could be replaced by a necked bulbous projection.

To connect two pavers together the two connectors (10 & 13) are slid vertically into engagement. Thus the first and second outer fingers (15 & 16) of the first connector (10), respectively slide vertically into the first and second keyway (24 & 26) of the second collector (13), while the first and second outer fingers (25 & 27) of the second connector (13), respectively, slides vertically into the first and second outer keyways (18 & 20) of the first connector (10), and the first and second inner fingers (28 & 29) of the second connector (13) slides vertically into the converging keyways (22 & 23) of the first connector (10), as shown in FIG. 3.

Therefore in this embodiment, the first connector (10) has a first series of two substantially parallel keyways (18 & 22) and two substantially parallel fingers (15 & 17), and a second series of two substantially parallel keyways (20 & 23) and two substantially parallel fingers (16 & 19); the two series being substantially convergent.

While the second connector (13) has a first series of two substantially parallel keyways (24 & 30) and two substantially parallel fingers (25 & 28), and a second series of two substantially parallel keyways (26 & 31) and two substantially parallel fingers (27 & 29); the two series being substantially divergent.

The angle of the keyways and fingers can be from 60° to 30° from the normal, but is preferably 45°.

Thus when the when the two connectors are vertically slid together there is a multiple interlocking between the angled fingers and keyways. Further the columnar spacer members form part of the outer walls of the outer keyways and are braced by the upper and bottom rigid frameworks. Similarly the outer fingers of the first connector are braced by the columnar spacer members, from which they extend.

This provides an extremely strong interconnection to resist lateral separation of the connectors.

It should be obvious to people skilled in the art that variations and modification can be made to the described connectors without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection means comprising a first part located on a first body and a second part located on a second body, wherein said first part comprises: a first outer finger and a second outer finger spaced apart and extending laterally outwardly from said first body and convergently to each other; a first inner finger extending laterally outwardly from said first body and spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said first outer finger, defining a first keyway therebetween; a second inner finger extending laterally outwards from said first body and spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said second outer finger, defining a second keyway therebetween; and a necked cavity formed between the first and second inner fingers, and whereas the second part located on a second body comprises: a first outer keyway, bounded inwardly by a first finger, and complimentary in shape to said first outer finger of the first part; a second outer keyway, bounded inwardly by a second finger, and complimentary in shape to said second outer finger of the first part; and a necked protrusion, complementary in shape to the said necked cavity, extending outwardly from said second body intermediate the first and second fingers and forming therewith a first inner keyway between the first finger and a second inner keyway between the second finger; wherein, in use, the first part and the second part of the connection means slide vertically into interconnection with each other, so that the first and second outer fingers of the first part slide vertically into the first and second keyway of the second part respectively, while the first and second finger of the second part slides vertically into the first and second keyways, respectively, of the first part, and the necked protrusion of the second part slides vertically into the necked cavity, whereby the connection resists lateral separation.
 2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the depth of the fingers and keyways extends the whole depth of the first and second bodies.
 3. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the necked cavity comprises two convergent keyways and the necked protrusion is two divergent fingers.
 4. A connector according to claim 3 wherein the necked protrusion is Y-shaped.
 5. A connector according to claim 3 wherein the necked protrusion is T-shaped.
 6. A connector according to claim 3 wherein the necked protrusion is v-shaped
 7. A connection means comprising a first part located on a first body and a second part located on a second body, wherein said first part comprises: a first outer finger and a second outer finger spaced apart and extending laterally outwardly from said first body and divergently from each other; a first inner finger extending laterally outwardly from said first body and spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said first outer finger, defining a first keyway therebetween; a second inner finger extending laterally outwards from said first body and spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said second outer finger, defining a second keyway therebetween; and a necked cavity formed between the first and second inner fingers, and whereas the second part comprises: a first outer keyway, bounded inwardly by a first finger, and complimentary in shape to said first outer finger of the first part; a second outer keyway, bounded inwardly by a second finger, and complimentary in shape to said second outer finger of the first part; and a necked protrusion, complementary in shape to the said necked cavity, extending outwardly intermediate the first and second fingers and forming therewith a first inner keyway between the first finger and a second inner keyway between the second finger; and wherein, in use, the first part and the second part of the connection means slide vertically into interconnection with each other, so that the first and second outer fingers of the first part slide vertically into the first and second keyway of the second part respectively, while the first and second finger of the second part slides vertically into the first and second keyways, respectively, of the first part, and the necked protrusion of the second part slides vertically into the necked cavity, whereby the connection resists lateral separation.
 8. A connector according to claim 7 wherein the depth of the fingers and keyways extends the whole depth of the first and second bodies.
 9. A plastics permeable paver which are generally flat in nature and are for use mainly in a horizontal or substantially horizontal disposition, and comprises top and bottom plate members having an alternating pattern of support surfaces and apertures, wherein the apertures in the top plate member are offset relative to the apertures in the bottom plate member with spacer members extending between overlaying corners of the support surface of the top and bottom plates so that the structure is cellular in nature with the cells hydraulically interconnected with each other, and comprising a connection means comprising a first part located on a first paver and a second part located on a second paver, wherein said first part comprises: a first outer finger and a second outer finger spaced apart and extending laterally outwardly from said first paver and convergently to each other; a first inner finger extending laterally outwardly from said first paver and spaced apart from and parallel to said first outer finger, and defining a first keyway therebetween; a second inner finger extending laterally outwards from said first paver and spaced apart from and parallel to said second outer finger, defining a second keyway therebetween; and a necked cavity formed between the first and second inner finger, and whereas the second part comprises: a first outer keyway, located adjacent an edge of the second paver and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending first finger, said first outer key being complimentary in shape to said first outer finger of the first part; a second outer keyway, located adjacent the edge of the second paver and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending second finger, and being complimentary in shape to said second outer finger of the first part; and a necked protrusion extending laterally outwardly from the second paver intermediate the first and second fingers and forming therewith a first inner keyway between the first finger and a second inner keyway between the second finger; wherein, in use, the first part and the second part of the connection means slide vertically into interconnection with each other, so that the first and second outer fingers of the first part slide vertically into the first and second keyway of the second part respectively, while the first and second finger of the second part slides vertically into the first and second keyways, respectively, of the first part, and the necked protrusion of the second part slides vertically into the necked cavity, whereby the connection resists lateral separation between the first and second paver or drainage structure.
 10. A plastics permeable paver according to claim 9 wherein the depth of the fingers and keyways extends the whole depth of the first and second bodies.
 11. A plastics permeable paver according to claim 9 wherein the necked cavity comprises two convergent keyways and the necked protrusion is two divergent fingers.
 12. A plastics permeable paver according to claim 11 wherein the necked protrusion is Y-shaped.
 13. A plastics permeable paver according to claim 11 wherein the necked protrusion is T-shaped.
 14. A plastics permeable paver according to claim 11 wherein the necked protrusion is v-shaped.
 15. A plastics permeable paver which are generally flat in nature and are for use mainly in a horizontal or substantially horizontal disposition, and comprises top and bottom plate members having an alternating pattern of support surfaces and apertures, wherein the apertures in the top plate member are offset relative to the apertures in the bottom plate member with spacer members extending between overlaying corners of the support surface of the top and bottom plates so that the structure is cellular in nature with the cells hydraulically interconnected with each other, and comprising a connection means comprising a first part located on a first paver and a second part located on a second paver, wherein said first part comprises: a first outer finger and a second outer finger located opposite and extending laterally outwardly from said first paver and divergently from each other a first inner finger extending laterally outwardly from said first paver and spaced apart from and parallel to said first outer finger, and defining a first keyway therebetween; a second inner finger extending laterally outwards from said first paver and spaced apart from and parallel to said second outer finger, defining a second keyway therebetween; and a necked cavity formed between the first and second inner finger, and whereas the second part comprises: a first outer keyway, located adjacent an edge of the second paver and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending first finger, said first outer key being complimentary in shape to said first outer finger of the first part; a second outer keyway, located adjacent the edge of the second paver and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending second finger, and being complimentary in shape to said second outer finger of the first part; and a necked protrusion extending laterally outwardly from the second paver intermediate the first and second fingers and forming therewith a first inner keyway between the first finger and a second inner keyway between the second finger; wherein the depth of the fingers and keyways extends the whole depth of the paver, and wherein, in use, the first part and the second part of the connection means slide vertically into interconnection with each other, so that the first and second outer fingers of the first part slide vertically into the first and second keyway of the second part respectively, while the first and second finger of the second part slides vertically into the first and second keyways, respectively, of the first part, and the necked protrusion of the second part slides vertically into the necked cavity, whereby the connection resists lateral separation between the first and second paver.
 16. A plastics permeable paver according to claim 15 wherein the depth of the fingers and keyways extends the whole depth of the first and second bodies.
 17. A plastics drainage cell which are generally flat in nature and are for use mainly in a horizontal or substantially horizontal disposition, and comprises top and bottom plate members having an alternating pattern of support surfaces and apertures, wherein the apertures in the top plate member are offset relative to the apertures in the bottom plate member with spacer members extending between overlaying corners of the support surface of the top and bottom plates so that the structure is cellular in nature with the cells hydraulically interconnected with each other, and comprising a connection means comprising a first part located on a first drainage cell and a second part located on a second drainage cell, wherein said first part comprises: a first outer finger and a second outer finger located opposite and extending laterally outwardly from said first drainage cell and convergently to each other; a first inner finger extending laterally outwardly from said first drainage cell and spaced apart from and parallel to said first outer finger, and defining a first keyway therebetween; a second inner finger extending laterally outwards from said first drainage cell and spaced apart from and parallel to said second outer finger, defining a second keyway therebetween; and a necked cavity formed between the first and second inner finger, and whereas the second part comprises: a first outer keyway, located adjacent an edge of a second drainage cell and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending first finger, said first outer key being complimentary in shape to said first outer finger of said first part; a second outer keyway, located adjacent the edge of the second drainage cell and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending second finger, and being complimentary in shape to said second outer finger of the first part; and a necked protrusion extending laterally outwardly from the second drainage cell, intermediate the first and second fingers and forming therewith a first inner keyway between the first finger and a second inner keyway between the second finger; and wherein, in use, the first part and the second part of the connection means slide vertically into interconnection with each other, so that the first and second outer fingers of the first part slide vertically into the first and second keyway of the second part respectively, while the first and second finger of the second part slides vertically into the first and second keyways, respectively, of the first part, and the necked protrusion of the second part slides vertically into the necked cavity, whereby the connection resists lateral separation between the first and second drainage cells.
 18. A plastics drainage cell according to claim 17 wherein the depth of the fingers and keyways extends the whole depth of the first and second drainage cells.
 19. A plastics drainage cell according to claim 17 wherein the necked cavity comprises two convergent keyways and the necked protrusion comprises two divergent fingers.
 20. A plastics drainage cell according to claim 19 wherein the necked protrusion is Y-shaped.
 21. A plastics drainage cell according to claim 19 wherein the necked protrusion is T-shaped.
 22. A plastics drainage cell according to claim 19 wherein the necked protrusion is v-shaped.
 23. A plastics drainage cell which are generally flat in nature and are for use mainly in a horizontal or substantially horizontal disposition, and comprises top and bottom plate members having an alternating pattern of support surfaces and apertures, wherein the apertures in the top plate member are offset relative to the apertures in the bottom plate member with spacer members extending between overlaying corners of the support surface of the top and bottom plates so that the structure is cellular in nature with the cells hydraulically interconnected with each other, and comprising a connection means comprising a first part located on a first drainage cell and a second part located on a second drainage cell, wherein said first part comprises: a first outer finger and a second outer finger located opposite and extending laterally outwardly from said first drainage cell and divergently from each other; a first inner finger extending laterally outwardly from said first drainage cell and spaced apart from and parallel to said first outer finger, and defining a first keyway therebetween; a second inner finger extending laterally outwards from said first drainage cell and spaced apart from and parallel to said second outer finger, defining a second keyway therebetween; and a necked cavity formed between the first and second inner finger, and whereas the second part comprises: a first outer keyway, located adjacent an edge of a second drainage cell and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending first finger, said first outer key being complimentary in shape to said first outer finger of said first part; a second outer keyway, located adjacent the edge of the second drainage cell and having its outer wall formed at least by a spacer member and its inner wall formed at least by an outwardly extending second finger, and being complimentary in shape to said second outer finger of the first part; and a necked protrusion extending laterally outwardly from the second drainage cell, intermediate the first and second fingers and forming therewith a first inner keyway between the first finger and a second inner keyway between the second finger; and wherein, in use, the first part and the second part of the connection means slide vertically into interconnection with each other, so that the first and second outer fingers of the first part slide vertically into the first and second keyway of the second part respectively, while the first and second finger of the second part slides vertically into the first and second keyways, respectively, of the first part, and the necked protrusion of the second part slides vertically into the necked cavity, whereby the connection resists lateral separation between the first and second drainage cells.
 24. A plastics drainage cell according to claim 23 wherein the depth of the fingers and keyways extends the whole depth of the drainage cells. 